Men's Soccer Grabs a Huge Win on Senior Day

Sunday, November 3

Durwood Stadium

2:00 PM

Kansas City

6-9-0, 5-5-0

California Baptist

5-11-2, 4-5-1

California Baptist

Kansas City

Men's Soccer Grabs a Huge Win on Senior Day

11/3/2019 4:24:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Men's Soccer team (6-9-0, 5-5-0) picked up a much needed conference win over California Baptist 1-0 on Senior Day. The win helps the Roos, who are fighting for a spot in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament that takes the top seven teams. With the win, Kansas City moves up into sixth place in the WAC because of losses from UTRGV and Houston Baptist earlier today. The Roos will have one more conference game vs. Houston Baptist next week and can clinch a spot with a win or a tie for the first time since 2014.

"We needed three points today, and we got 'em," head coach Rick Benben said. "I can't say enough on how well these guys played today and I couldn't be more pleased with their effort."

In a game that only saw the Roos take five shots total, the defense was the key today. Senior GK Filippo Errico shined, as he so often does for the Roos, but none bigger than in a must win game. Coming off of a loss Friday to CSU Bakersfield, Kansas City had to win to stay in the race for a spot in the WAC Tournament. Errico made six huge saves and several key clearances to keep the net clean in the shutout. He showed just how special he has been throughout his career on a celebration for him and his other fellow seniors - Antoine Precheur, Giacomo Caruso, and Ian Hodge - on Senior Day.

"I think Filippo (Errico) is the best college goal keeper," said Head Coach Rick Benben. "He has been a huge asset to our program."

The Roos struck first, right before the end of the first half in the 43rd minute. Freshman Zinedine Kroeten dribbled past a couple of Lancers and sent a picture perfect cross into the box. The ball went straight to foot of Nate Temm who volleyed it into the back of the net. It was a freshman to freshman connection, as Temm picked up his first collegiate goal and Kroeten picked up his first assist of his collegiate career.

"These seniors have given everything they have these last for years," Nate Temm said. "To be able to score today and help them get the result we needed to keep the season moving in the direction we want means everything."

The second half, CBU possessed the ball for nearly 60 percent of the half, taking 11 shots. In the 63rd minute, senior defender Giacomo Caruso made an incredible team save on the line to keep the lead in the Roos favor.

"Jimmy (Giacomo Caruso) has been a really solid player," head coach Rick Benben said. "He has started most of the time he has been here at center back and is having a great senior year."

Kansas City picks up its second straight win on senior night, having beaten Houston Baptist last year.

"All four of our seniors have really contributed a lot to this program," Benben said. "These kids have not only done a great job playing, but also have done a great job academically."

The fate of the season rides on the game Saturday night vs. Houston Baptist. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. CT and will take place in Houston, Texas.

Quick Hitters

Kansas City picks up its first win all-time against CBU, having only played them last season in a 1-0 loss.
Today's 1-0 win marks the first time the Roos have won when scoring less than two goals. All of KC's wins have come from two goal performances.
Filippo Errico picks up his third shutout of the year and now only needs 12 saves to move up into second all-time in saves in school history.